Israel's Election Commission Certifies Results Leaving Netanyahu Short of Majority

Israel's Central Elections Committee certified the results of the 27 October 2026 Knesset election on 4 November, confirming that neither major bloc holds a majority. Netanyahu's nationalist-religious alliance secured 53 seats. The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot holds 48. Arab-led lists won a combined 19 seats, a record for the 120-member chamber.

Likud remains the largest single party with 27 seats. Eisenkot's Yashar has 21. The two Arab lists, the Joint List and Ra'am, together hold 19. Netanyahu has ruled out relying on Arab parties. Eisenkot has also declined to work with them on the grounds of differing values.

The committee reviewed complaints and found no irregularities that affected the outcome. It presented the certified results to President Isaac Herzog the same day. Herzog has until around 11 November to consult party leaders and decide which candidate receives the first mandate to form a government.

Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister until a new government is installed. If no candidate can assemble 61 seats, Israel could face another election. Turnout was 77.7 percent, the highest since 1999.

The deadlock leaves the composition of the next coalition dependent on whether any Jewish parties break their stated positions on the Arab lists or whether a minority government can be sustained. Herzog's choice of whom to task first will shape the initial negotiations.